With a voice akin to grinding bones, it muttered, "Soon. You'll open the door for us all soon, little Luna."
With increasing horror, I recognized that Thanatos wasn't the true enemy as I looked up to the ripped sky, where red eyes were watching.
Another wave of corruption struck me like a punch to the face, and blood poured from my nose.
"Arin!" Before I could fall, Malik grabbed me, his powerful arms encircling me as my legs failed. "You're burning up."
He was correct. The black veins beneath my arms were now spreading more quickly, and my skin felt like it was on fire. I tasted something metallic in my mouth, not just blood, and every breath hurt.
I tried to stand on my own and lied, saying, "I'm okay." But in order to avoid hitting the ground, I had to hold onto Malik's shoulder as the world swung sideways.
"No, you're not alright!" Malik was upset, but not at me. "Take a look at yourself, Arin. You're going to die!"
